After nearly nine years of legal proceedings, a lab assistant employed at a Delhi school has been convicted for sexually harassing five students in 2015. The verdict, delivered by Additional Sessions Judge Amit Sahrawat of the Rohini Courts on November 30, finally brings justice to the victims after a prolonged and arduous legal battle. The convict was also found guilty under the stringent provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The incident took place in 2015, when the victims, who were in Class 7 at the time, accused the lab assistant of inappropriate touching, making indecent sexual comments, and threatening them. The accused also worked as an absentee teacher at the school and allegedly exploited his position of authority to prey on the young students. The victims further reported that he had recorded videos of them dancing in their classroom, adding to the list of his deplorable actions.
The court found all five victims to be credible witnesses, whose consistent testimonies left no room for doubt regarding the guilt of the accused. “As per earlier observations, all the victims have been found to be reliable witnesses, having an impress of truth in their versions. On the basis of versions of victims, there is no doubt in saying that the prosecution has duly proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt,” Judge Sahrawat stated in the verdict.
The prosecution’s case was further strengthened by evidence presented by the special public prosecutor. A video recovered from the accused’s mobile phone depicted the schoolgirls dancing in the classroom, confirming his malicious intentions. This crucial evidence substantiated the victims’ claims, making the case against the accused stronger.
Judge Sahrawat, in his judgment, convicted the accused under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertains to assault or criminal force used to outrage the modesty of a woman, specifically concerning one of the victims, identified as ‘H’. “Therefore, for the offence u/s 354 IPC, accused is held liable only qua victim ‘H’ and not for the other four victims. Similarly, the accused is also held liable for the offence of aggravated sexual assault with victim ‘H’, provided u/s 10 POCSO Act,” the court order stated.
The accused, during the trial, attempted to defend himself by arguing that the victims held a grudge against him, claiming they were upset because he had previously refused their demands to hand over his mobile phone. However, the court found this argument to be unconvincing and upheld the charges brought against him.
The verdict serves as a significant moment of justice for the victims, who had to wait almost a decade to see their abuser held accountable. Their bravery in coming forward to speak about their traumatic experiences was crucial in securing the conviction. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of timely justice, especially in cases involving vulnerable victims, and highlights the need for reforms to prevent such long delays in delivering justice. It also underscores the critical role schools and authorities must play in safeguarding the well-being of students, ensuring a safe and secure learning environment.